Steady Progress Towards 2.5% Target Under National Health Policy
New Delhi: Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced on Wednesday that the government’s healthcare expenditure has reached 1.84% of GDP, steadily progressing towards the target of 2.5% set under the National Health Policy 2017.
Responding to a discussion on the working of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Nadda highlighted the significant rise in healthcare funding over the past decade.
“In 2013-14, the total healthcare budget (state and central government) stood at 1.15% of GDP, which increased to 1.35% when the policy was introduced. Today, it has reached 1.84%, and we are steadily moving towards the 2.5% goal,” Nadda stated.
The minister also pointed out that healthcare funding has nearly tripled from ₹38,000 crore in 2013-14 to nearly ₹1 lakh crore today.
Expansion of Healthcare Services Across India
Nadda emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding healthcare access, noting that:
- 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are now operational as the first contact points for patients.
- National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) have been implemented in some Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to ensure better healthcare delivery.
- Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), the government has opened 22 new AIIMS to address regional healthcare imbalances and improve affordable tertiary care.
With the 2025 deadline approaching, the government is expected to further accelerate investments in healthcare infrastructure, aiming to bridge gaps in public health services and meet the 2.5% GDP spending target.
